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2011 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Malibu years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.

About this comparison →
977Owner complaints

Model-year median: 310.5

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
987
20081,509
20091,360
2010977
2011906
2012835
2013351
2014
Compare all Malibu years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
235Steering
213Electronic Stability Control (esc)
174Engine
160Exterior Lighting
130
All reported categories
Power Train
112Air Bags
93Vehicle Speed Control
87Unknown Or Other
60Seat Belts
53Seats
38Service Brakes
38Fuel/propulsion System
32Structure
19Traction Control System
15Engine And Engine Cooling
12Suspension
11Wheels
11Visibility/wiper
8Service Brakes, Hydraulic
6Tires
6Visibility
6Fuel System, Gasoline
5Forward Collision Avoidance
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Equipment
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

731 reports with mileage · 246 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 235 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 213 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 174 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports17 fire reports30 injury reports

What owners actually said

977 reports
68,000 miles · Mar 18, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10850464

125,000 miles · Mar 16, 2016
SteeringWheels

I WAS GOING ON A 3HR TRIP ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, 40MIN INTO MY RIDE MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND SHAKING TERRIBLY. 40MIN FROM MY FINAL DESTINATION MY CAR WAS SHAKING HORRIBLY AND IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL HAD NO CONTROL OF THE TIRES. WHEN THE ROAD REARED TO EITHER THE RI…

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I WAS GOING ON A 3HR TRIP ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, 40MIN INTO MY RIDE MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND SHAKING TERRIBLY. 40MIN FROM MY FINAL DESTINATION MY CAR WAS SHAKING HORRIBLY AND IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL HAD NO CONTROL OF THE TIRES. WHEN THE ROAD REARED TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT I HELD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL VERY TIGHT AND IT FELT LIKE THE WHEELS WERE NOT TURNING IN THE DIRECTION THAT I WAS DRIVING. I WOULD DROP MY SPEED FROM 60MPH TO 40MPH, WHICH DID NOT RESULT IN A CHANGE. I AGREE THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL, MYSELF ALONG WITH OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #10849896

64,253 miles · Mar 15, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

1/26/2016 I GOT MY CAMSHAFT SOLENOID FIXED DUE TO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. WHEN IT STARTED TO SHAKE REAL BAD WITH THE DASH LIGHTS STATING THAT MY ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED, LOSS OF TRACTION (SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT) I INSTANTLY PUT IT IN THE SHOP. THEN LAST WEEK 3/4/2016 I WAS DRIVING UP TO ERIE, PA FROM OHIO, WHICH IS A…

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1/26/2016 I GOT MY CAMSHAFT SOLENOID FIXED DUE TO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. WHEN IT STARTED TO SHAKE REAL BAD WITH THE DASH LIGHTS STATING THAT MY ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED, LOSS OF TRACTION (SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT) I INSTANTLY PUT IT IN THE SHOP. THEN LAST WEEK 3/4/2016 I WAS DRIVING UP TO ERIE, PA FROM OHIO, WHICH IS ABOUT 4.5 HOURS AWAY. I SAY A GOOD 40 MINUTES FROM MY DESTINATION IT HAPPENS AGAIN RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE DASH SAYS THAT MY ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED AND LOSS OF TRACTION (?). THANKFULLY THERE WAS AN EXIT NEAR THAT I COULD GET OFF AT AND AS SOON AS I PUT MY CAR IN PARK IT STARTED TO SHAKE REAL BAD. SO I DID WHAT I DID BEFORE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF TO LET IT RESET AND THEN STARTED IT BACK UP. IT RAN FINE FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY STAY UNTIL IT CAME TIME FOR ME TO LEAVE TO GO BACK HOME. THIS TIME I ONLY GOT 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM ERIE BEFORE IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN, BUT IT KEPT DOING IT. TALK ABOUT BEING FRUSTRATED 4.5 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME IN YOUR CAR. ESPECIALLY SINCE I JUST GOT IT FIXED NOT TOO LONG AGO. THIS NEEDS TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST, BECAUSE THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

NHTSA ODI #10849853

96,000 miles · Mar 10, 2016
Unknown Or Other

SLOSHING SOUND IN DASH. REPAIRS-WATER PUMP,THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING, $850.00 AUGUST 2015, LOSS POWER STEERING AND TRACTION. SDM(AIR BAG MODULE) REPLACED $965

NHTSA ODI #10846019

87,800 miles · Mar 8, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

RECEIVED MESSAGES OF: SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE POWER STEERING, ENG PWR REDUCED, ENGINE DISABLED THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, WENT INTO LIMP MODE, HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD TO TRY AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND ON TO TRY TO RESET. NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT FROM ONCOMING AND TRAILING VEHICLE…

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RECEIVED MESSAGES OF: SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE POWER STEERING, ENG PWR REDUCED, ENGINE DISABLED THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, WENT INTO LIMP MODE, HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD TO TRY AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND ON TO TRY TO RESET. NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT FROM ONCOMING AND TRAILING VEHICLES. THIS MAKE AND MODEL NEEDS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10840432

101,000 miles · Mar 5, 2016
Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, MY CAR, OUT OF NOWHERE, BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED THE "ESC IS OFF" INDICATOR WAS ON. I PULLED OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND BEGIN PRESSING THE GAS TO KEEP IT FROM CUTTING OFF FOR FEAR IT MAY NOT START UP AGAIN. I DID THAT FOR ABOUT 3 MINUT…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, MY CAR, OUT OF NOWHERE, BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED THE "ESC IS OFF" INDICATOR WAS ON. I PULLED OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND BEGIN PRESSING THE GAS TO KEEP IT FROM CUTTING OFF FOR FEAR IT MAY NOT START UP AGAIN. I DID THAT FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND BEGAN MOVING AGAIN. I HAD TO DO THIS 3 TIMES ON MY WAY HOME. I WAS ABOUT 5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10840051

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2016
Steering

WHILE I WAS DRIVING I LOST THE POWER STEERING ON THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED TWICE . THANK GOD THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC OTHER WISE I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10839945

63,000 miles · Mar 2, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE RATTLED AND VIBRATED CONSISTENTLY WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #10839356

113,000 miles · Feb 29, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

CAR INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER. WARNING LIGHT FOR TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON. MUST PULL OVER AND LET CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE BEFORE RESTARTING.

NHTSA ODI #10838967

65,000 miles · Feb 23, 2016
Steering

HIGHWAY DRIVEING SPEEDS OVER 50MPH STEERING IS EXTREAMLY LOOSE ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHEN BIGGER VEHICLES PASS THE AIR PUSHES MY CAR SO BAD I GET TERRIFIED IT WILL MAKE ME HIT A DITCH MY CAR IS LESS THEN A WEEK OLD TO ME. UNDER 70K MILES. EVEN REGULAR DRIVEING ON HIGHWAYS THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE.

NHTSA ODI #10837885

Official recalls

3

19V019000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 16, 2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N182206630.

15V269000 · Seat Belts

May 8, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15031.

14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

May 14, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Electrical System:wiring

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.